Thursday, April 29, 2010

Bigger than Texas

Twice as big, actually - Queensland, that is. It's certainly felt it today, with 5 hours' driving, from Barcaldine (Barcy) where we had a closer look at the grandiosly-named Tree of Knowledge under which the Labor Party began to twinkle in the eyes of striking shearers in 1891, though its actual conception came later. We were shown round the Australian Workers Heritage Centre by Bonnie, who's a true-blue Labor supporter, except that should be true-red. There was a lot to see but we had to hit the road to Blackall.

So had scores of roos, sadly - it was carnage out there, emphasis on the car. You really wouldn't want to hit one, they're so big (even unbloated by the heat) but the road trains would hardly notice, all 50 metres and 80-odd wheels of them.

Now it's another 3.5 hours to Charleville for the night, through a wide landscape of blue sky, golden Mitchell grass, cabbage-smelling gidgee trees and splendid solitary bottle trees.

PS The nasty smears in the photo are just that: ex-butterflies sadly smashed on the windscreen. As well as a plague of locusts, there's been a - what would it be? - benediction of butterflies since the drought broke.

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"Only connect..." [Dedication, Howards End, E.M. Forster] - a highfalutin way of saying that this blog is all about how travel isn't separate from ordinary life: once you've been somewhere, the experience is part of you and you'll be reminded of it randomly and unexpectedly for the rest of your lifetime. Or your memory's lifetime. Whichever ends first.

About Me

Thwarted country girl grows up in the suburbs of Christchurch - horse-mad, never owns one - student - reluctant student teacher - to England for 2-year OE - returns home (almost) 17 years later with husband and daughters after lots of horses and country living and travelling - back to the 'burbs - nine long years on the ground - relief teacher - aspiring travel writer - actual travel writer - award winner!